Old Firm Facts

The Old Firm Facts podcast is back for a second Christmas special, and Adam is joined by two award-winning Scottish comedians. 

Ray Bradshaw has toured with the likes of John Bishop and Frankie Boyle, and in 2022 he made appearances on the BBC, ITV and Sky Sports as well as being filmed having dinner with Jermaine Jenas. He speaks about how the Jags For Good campaign made him proud to be a Partick Thistle fan, opens up on his Liam Boyce vendetta, reveals Frankie Boyle's Robbie Savage putdown and shares what he learned from the John Bishop tour.

Marc Jennings is preparing for a solo show at Glasgow's famous King's Theatre in March, having enjoyed a successful run at the Fringe in 2022 and co-hosted a sell-out live episode of the Some Laugh podcast. He tells Adam about his Scottish football highlights of the past 12 months, the success of Some Laugh, going viral with his stand-up, football conspiracies and his connection with both Hibs and Mad Men.

Adam delivers a month-by-month review of the year's most surreal moments, asks his guests to help him debunk a myth involving Argentina's World Cup quarter-final celebrations, puts questions to them from social media and seamlessly integrates voice memos from his phone into an otherwise hi-tech podcast.

For more information about Old Firm Facts, go to: www.thebiglight.com/oldfirmfacts

Hold on to your signed Arbroath steak and kidney pie as the Old Firm Facts podcast returns with two excellent guests. 

Sports broadcaster Ali DeFoy talks about her favourite St Mirren memory, the difference in mentality between people in Scotland compared to people in London, interviewing a legendary sportsman, interview tips, her admiration for a Scottish World Cup winner and how Ant and Dec were responsible for her receiving a punny at school.

Stirling Albion winger and PE teacher Danny Denholm discusses what makes the Binos tick, how East Fife looked after their players during the pandemic, misconceptions around lower league football, the football experiences he shares with the stars of Arsenal: All or Nothing, what he would change about Scottish education and a memorable moment from his time playing for Dick Campbell, 

Adam chats to Ali and Danny about the Don't Be That Guy campaign, debunks a myth involving a French take on Rangers, puts questions to his guests from social media, checks in on Scotland's newest and most important league table, and shares some suggestions for Scottish football TV crossovers. 

Rose Reilly on Blethered: pod.co/blethered/rose-reilly-scotlands-world-cup-winning-footballer

For more information about Old Firm Facts, go to: www.thebiglight.com/oldfirmfacts

It's taken 42 episodes, but Adam is finally pandering to the 'Liams from Edinburgh who contribute to football podcasts' demographic.

Making his second appearance on the show, Hearts fan Liam C of the This is My Story podcast discusses a positive 94 minutes and 38 seconds at Easter Road, Barrie McKay, Hearts sporting director Joe Savage's ambitious mindset, the club's activity in the transfer window, being clamped by Robbie Neilson, the one Hibs player he'd take at Hearts and having the high ground over Andy Walker. 

Hibs supporter Liam F of the Down the Slope podcast talks about Martin Boyle's late equaliser and the reaction from fans, an unusual summer at Easter Road, Sunday's game demonstrating the gentrification of Leith, new manager Lee Johnson, how his work in diversity and inclusion relates to football, chairman Ron Gordon's business mind, the 'class war' on football and how Hibs have 'flipped the narrative' when it comes to Rocky Bushiri.

Adam asks his guests to help him debunk a myth involving solidarity between rival supporters, puts questions to them from social media, finds out their Scottish football bugbears, launches a brand new league table and shares some recent hard-hitting stories in the latest edition of the Jermain Defoe Swanky Dome Bar Round-up. 

For more information about Old Firm Facts, go to: www.thebiglight.com/oldfirmfacts

We all remember our first World Cup, and Adam's no different.

His was USA 94, and on this episode he's joined by 'USA 94: The World Cup That Changed The Game' author Matt Evans. Matt, who has also written about the likes of Graeme Souness, Jock Stein and Alessandro Del Piero for These Football Times and Nutmeg magazine, discusses that tournament's impact, the hype surrounding Colombia before the finals and tragedy that followed, interviewing the likes of Italy manager Arrigo Sacchi, Roberto Baggio memories, why USA 94 is underrated, writing about Dundee United legend Jim McLean and his favourite football books.

If you're one of the 8 million people who've seen it, you'll know theatre, film and TV actor Sandy Batchelor from a viral video in which he recorded a hilarious tour of his flat for the benefit of his letting agency. Dundee United fan Sandy tells Adam about the motivation for and aftermath of that video, Jack Ross' arrival, his delight at Dylan Levitt's Tannadice move, a bone he wants to pick with the writers of Succession regarding their Scottish football storyline, the state of Scotland's theatre scene, helping to tell the story of an important figure in Labour's history, joining BBC drama Shetland's sixth season and the advice he would give any actor.

Adam asks his guests to help him debunk a myth involving Euro 2022, puts questions to his guests from social media, reads excerpts from a classic review of a football book and puts Sandy's accent skills to the test with a challenge involving Kris Boyd.

For more information about Old Firm Facts, go to: www.thebiglight.com/oldfirmfacts

Ever listened to a football podcast and thought 'This is good, but it would be improved significantly by one of the guests spontaneously breaking into song about the captain of Rangers being an eagle?'. Your prayers have been answered. 

On episode 40 of the Old Firm Facts podcast, music journalist Jules Boyle discusses the strange feeling he's currently experiencing as a Celtic fan, Celtic's 'street fighter', accusations of being on Marvel's payroll, the key to getting good quotes out of rock stars, bonding with U2 guitarist The Edge and how an interview with Chuck D of Public Enemy led to him being targeted by fascists as a supposed statue-toppling ANTIFA ringleader. 

Tifo Football analyst, writer, presenter and podcaster JJ Bull talks about what went wrong for Stephen Glass at Aberdeen, chatting to Dave Cormack, Ange Postecoglou's management style, Steve Clarke's strengths and weaknesses, the advice he gives budding football writers, what he learned from taking his SFA coaching badges having one of his football songs played on Channel 4 News and his viral hit concerning Leigh Griffiths' appreciation of bees.

Adam puts questions to his guests from social media, asks them to help him debunk a myth involving Celtic fans and the media, and invites them to play a headline-based quiz that's a bit like the one from episode 39 but not quite.

For more information about Talk Media, go to: www.thebiglight.com/oldfirmfacts

Scottish football might be on holiday, but Adam still has plenty to talk about with his guests. 

BBC Alba and BBC Scotland presenter, social media producer and broadcast journalist Iona Ballantyne discusses the end of Clyde's 28-year Broadwood stay, Danny Lennon, interviewing Rose Reilly and other legendary figures from the game, narrating Scottish football documentaries, the inspiring story of 1920s football trailblazer Sadie Smith, the sacrifices made by SWPL players balancing football and their day jobs, the women who've inspired her, making a documentary on Piper Alpha, a memorable piece of dark humour from her dad and a bizarre assignment at Easter Road. 

London-based journalist and politics producer Ed Campbell of Politics JOE talks about the importance of Connor Goldson, why Aaron Ramsey shouldn't be considered an Ibrox flop, what a good transfer window would look like for Rangers, Politics JOE's modern approach to political reporting, providing an alternative to 'Inside Baseball' Westminster chat, recording viral videos such as the recent interviews with royalists camping on the pavement ahead of the Platinum Jubilee, angry Scottish football fans online and his experience at The Great Sausage Roll Off.

Adam puts questions from social media to his guests, enlists them to help him debunk a myth involving Aberdeen, Rangers and a notorious VL, tests them on some recent Rangers headlines and classic Danny Lennon quotes, and reveals a young family member's surprising choice of favourite Scotland player.

For more information about Old Firm Facts, go to: www.thebiglight.com/oldfirmfacts

Large fish is on the menu as Adam serves up a hearty end of season special. 

Sports journalist Harry McArthur of the Down the Slope Hibs podcast discusses his one positive memory from a frustrating season at Easter Road, the departures of Jack Ross and Shaun Maloney, the mentality that will need to change under Lee Johnson, 2016 Scottish Cup Final memories, whether or not Ryan Porteous deserves his reputation, the change he'd like to see in Scottish football, his work with the NFL, his run-in with a former Hibs striker turned pundit and the highs and lows of his 13 days as an Eintracht Frankfurt supporter. 

Making his second appearance on the show, radio presenter, podcast host and award-winning comedian Mark Nelson talks about Queen of the South's relegation. Queens legend Wullie Gibson, how Craig Levein unsettles him, Scotland's upcoming playoff, how he uses music to elicit personal stories from interviewees, the reality of life for comedians at the Fringe, the comedians he's learned from, the Scottish football icon who would make a good stand-up, the joy of work-in-progress gigs, his recently released stand-up special, confusing legendary singer Don McLean on his radio show and his 2021/22 Scottish football cult hero. 

Adam puts questions to his guests from social media, asks them to help him debunk a myth involving Rangers and a beloved breakfast TV personality, tests them on their 2021/22 knowledge, attempts to tell the story of the season in less than 140 seconds and reveals which Hibs legend's image he now owns in the form of a mouse mat.

For more information about Old Firm Facts, go to: www.thebiglight.com/oldfirmfacts

What do Robbie Williams, George Galloway and Craig Gordon have in common? 

Absolutely nothing, other than all being discussed on this episode of the Old Firm Facts podcast, on which Adam is joined by two of Scotland's most well-known broadcasters. 

Gamesmaster host turned award-winning radio DJ turned Guardian columnist Dominik Diamond discusses how Rangers were foiled by 'cinch villain' Ange Postecoglou, his friendship with an Ibrox legend, the 'personal snub' of players leaving for bigger clubs, how living in Canada has affected his relationship with Celtic, the end of his decades-long love affair with FIFA games, a failed attempt to befriend Ewan McGregor, why he chose not to be crucified on television, playing video games with the Arctic Monkeys, the support he gave numerous Scottish bands in the '00s, almost assaulting a future British comedy star and how Robbie Williams ended up writing the foreword for his forthcoming book. 

Award-winning BBC Scotland news and current affairs host Martin Geissler talks about the unsung hero of Hearts' season, the Tynecastle legend hired as a DJ at his wedding, how Robbie Neilson revealed the secrets of Hearts' success to him at a petrol station, the 'gargoyle garden' of Twitter, pointing out the elephant in the room with Steven Gerrard, his preparation for a recent interview with Douglas Ross, an awkward encounter with George Galloway, 'sitting on the front row of history' as a foreign correspondent, the story that meant most to him as a reporter, reminiscing with Steve Coogan about classic comedy series On The Hour and watching the World Cup Final alongside a passionate football legend. 

Adam asks his guests to help him debunk a myth involving Rangers fans, puts questions to them from social media, gets their opinions on the Player and Manager of the Year awards, finds common ground with Gordon Strachan and provides some closure on an unexpected Twitter beef.

For more information about Old Firm Facts, go to: thebiglight.com/oldfirmfacts

Adam has the pleasure this week of being joined in the studio by two successful musicians with numerous awards and several million record sales between them.

Travis bassist and Rangers supporter Dougie Payne is forced to relive his side's glorious performance between 12pm and 12.06pm against Celtic, before discussing the disconnect that may have prompted Steven Gerrard's departure, the 'Brazilian in a Scotsman's body' who inspired his love of Rangers, watching Scotland at France '98 with Brazil fans, his unused Scotland song, what artists like The Killers make of Glasgow's Barrowlands, Rod Stewart's bad habit, hanging out with Paul McCartney, acting with Ben Stiller, enlisting Celtic fans for a half-time recording and joining forces with Brendan Rodgers at the school gates.

Drummer and Celtic fan Paul Thomson talks about Callum McGregor's 'executive decision', his theory on why Ange Postecoglou identifies with the club's fans, how football became more important to him during lockdown, his recent decision to leave Franz Ferdinand after nearly 20 years, his own unused Scotland song, donating a sensitive part of his body, appearing on Celtic and Rangers compilation albums, committing blasphemy in Mexico, his unique description in a book about New York's music scene and a memorable misunderstanding with Kanye West. 

Adam enlists his guests to help him debunk a myth involving Bruce Willis and Celtic, puts questions to them from Twitter, delves into their Wikipedia pages, quizzes them on Carlos Cuellar's personal life and announces the winner of this season's Golden Stauner award.

For more information about Old Firm Facts, go to: thebiglight.com/oldfirmfacts

With the BAFTAs just gone and the Oscars approaching, there's one prize that's got everyone talking this awards season. Thankfully, Adam is on hand to reveal the four finalists for this year's Golden Stauner award, recognising Scottish football's most handsome figures. Joining him at the ceremony are journalist and author Neil Drysdale as well as comedian and actor Stuart McPherson.

Neil talks about the two players Jim Goodwin should be building his Aberdeen side around, why Scotland's 1978 World Cup might not be our worst, being the target of a Jimmy Nicholl grudge, one of Pittodrie's most memorable nights, what he learned from writing a Walter Smith biography, a bad night for Billy Connolly in Aberdeen, the short-lived Stephen Glass and Scott Brown era, covering France '98 and the Aberdeenshire footballer who played a role in Juventus' first league title.

Stuart discusses his dream Efe Ambrose scenario, Dunfermline memories, a Coronation Street star's East End Park cameo, existential heckling, the Little Mix memory he shares with Scott Brown, performing stand-up, acting in and writing for Scot Squad, the legacy of Peep Show, Danny Dyer's football gaffes, an unusual Harry Potter mention on his CV and his idea for a Scottish football version of Space Jam.

Adam enlists his guests to help him debunk a myth involving Willie Collum, puts questions to them from Twitter and challenges them to identify a truly blood-curdling Scottish football shriek. 

For more information about Old Firm Facts, go to: www.thebiglight.com/oldfirmfacts